"If that's the case, should we just leave it at that?" Rem asked as she looked at the indecisive Vincent.
He was deep in his thoughts as he considers the best thing to do. Should they just leave as Rem suggested? He wasn't sure.
"Hmm… Tara, can you find any other hidden passage?"
Tara shook her head as if she was expecting this question.
"I already checked a while ago. There is only a room or space ahead of us. Well, it could also mean that there might be a passage that I can't detect."
Vincent wryly smiled at this. If Tara can't sense it, none of them could. So there was no point searching for another passage as he decided to just move forward.
Anyway, the pond didn't take all the space on their path as they easily passed through it. He believes that as long as they traverse this path, the secrets of this dungeon will be revealed to them.
Thud…
The group finally arrived at the huge and bright cavern.
There were no other paths or exits as the tunnel they passed through seems to be the only link between this cavern to the rest of the dungeon.
Nevertheless, that was not the important part, the most important thing is that a bright light is coming from an acacia tree at the center of the cavern!
Its leaves were glowing with white light! Tara and Rem smiled and enjoyed this scenery. After being through a long dark path, their eyes and senses can finally relax for a bit.
Even if Vincent has a luminescent ring with him, it doesn't really cover a lot of space so they have to extend or spread their senses all the time.
"Be careful… I can feel an unusual energy fluctuation within the branches of the tree… Something must be hiding or living on top of it." Tara suddenly reminded as Vincent warily held his weapon.
"Yes… There is also something that's suppressing my senses…" Rem added.
It wouldn't be surprising if a battle broke out right now so it's better to remain vigilant.
In the first place, it's already quite weird that everything has gone so smoothly. Although they used a secret passage, he was still expecting some sort of trap but none of them were triggered.
Was it because the "final boss" is very strong and doesn't need it?
Bam!
Suddenly a small figure fell down the tree as Vincent and the other two moved in unison.
Vincent backed away to gain distance while Rem and Tara rushed forward from both sides…
"W-wait! Stop!"
Suddenly, they heard the figure cry…
They thought that it was about to attack but it seems it wants to communicate with them! This is quite surprising since finding intelligent species inside a dungeon is extremely rare.
"Hmm? You're not human… What are you?" Vincent was surprised as he signaled for Rem and Tara to halt.
The being that just came out was quite small like an 8-year-old kid. But even though it has a humanoid figure, it appears more like a lizardman!
It has lizard scales on its body except for its face, palms, and some other parts…
After listing this in his mind, something immediately came to his mind.
'Demihuman?!'
Vincent felt nervous after reaching this conclusion. As far as he knows Demihumans have the characteristics of humans and animals. In addition, they are the enemies of the Celestials!
The creature in front of him can't be a savage beast since they weren't sentient enough to communicate with humans. As for the Magic Beasts, although they can still somehow communicate, their evolution wouldn't include having the appearance of humans.
The one in front of them is certainly a human-like creature!
"I'm Krusk!" The lizardman said as he warily looked at Vincent's group.
His answer didn't really help Vincent determine what kind of creature it is so he added.
"What are you doing here, Krusk? Do you have other friends or family in here?" Vincent asked dispelling his killing intent while remaining vigilant.
"Hmm? I've been living alone here ever since I woke up…"
"Then how did you get your name?"
"Memories… I inherited some memories from my parents who left me here to go to the outside world." Krusk answered without hesitation.
Vincent wasn't too sure how to proceed with this. It feels like it is much better if it just started attacking them so they could easily suppress it.
However, since it's communicating calmly and not showing hostility, Vincent felt he would be some kind of a thug if he just started beating him.
"Rem, Tara… Be cautious, it might be trying to divert our attention." Vincent softly said as he felt something wrong with this situation.
He might be overthinking but it's certainly better to be more cautious.
"Really? Alright…" Rem didn't think that they were in any sort of danger but she still agreed while Tara just nodded silently.
'First, we need to gather more information about this place. His identity comes next and--'
Before Vincent could ask again, Krusk spoke softly while getting closer to the glowing acacia tree.
"Who are you? Are you here to destroy this tree?" Krusk asked.
Indeed, before asking this lizardman a question, they must introduce themselves first.
Vincent smiled as he introduced himself and the two Celestial Beings. Krusk didn't seem to be wary of them after the introduction as he started talking calmly.
"Vincent… Rem… Tara… I got it."
"We're not here to destroy the tree. Rather, we want to know what it does… Why do you think we would destroy it?"
"Well, I really don't know… I just know that anyone who comes here would want to cut off this tree."
"Then, are you its guardian?"
"Guardian? No… I don't know how to fight. I'm just here since this tree can feed me."
"Feed you?"
"Yes…"
Vincent sighed as this lizard wouldn't really tell him anything without him asking the right questions. It seems like this will take longer. At the very least, they were pretty much sure that there is no hidden danger here and they could safely converse with the young lizardman.
Tara has already concluded that although the tree suppresses their senses a bit, it was only because it's emitting mana fluctuations that disrupt their senses but not their awareness. It wasn't trying to harm them.
With that said, Vincent started his interrogation with the young lizardman to find out the secrets of this dungeon.
Visit freewe𝑏nov(e)l.𝗰𝐨𝐦 for the 𝑏est n𝘰vel reading experience