Chapter 476 Ghostly Sentinels
Villain Ch 476. Ghostly Sentinels
Their journey brought them to one particular corner, where an imposing building stood, guarded by a contingent of steampunk-clad soldiers. These soldiers, in their intricate brass and leather uniforms, exuded an air of stern authority.
Approaching the building, the soldiers blocked their path, their expressions unyielding and their posture unwavering. They formed a steely barrier, making it clear that they wouldn't allow passage. This was a restricted area, and these guards took their duty seriously.
Allen stepped forward, determined to make their intentions known. "We'd like to enter," he stated plainly, addressing the soldiers.
The soldiers, unimpressed and visibly displeased, retorted sharply. "You cannot pass. This is a restricted area," one of them declared, their resolve evident in their steely gazes.
Tempers flared as the soldiers accused Allen and his companions of attempting to trespass. With grim determination, the guards withdrew their weapons, the mechanical swords gleaming ominously in the ambient light. Prepared for conflict, they readied themselves for a potential showdown.
In the midst of the tense standoff, a sudden notification popped up in front of Allen's view. The words glowed in the virtual interface.
[Are you sure you want to fight the soldiers?]
[Yes / No]
Without hesitation, Allen made his choice. 'Yes.'
In response to Allen's decision to confront the soldiers, a stirring turn of events unfolded. The large steel doors of the building creaked open, revealing a group of additional soldiers who emerged from within the structure. Their synchronized movements and coordinated appearance suggested a tight-knit squad.
It became clear that this was to be a duel, a showdown between two equally matched factions. The eight soldiers mirrored the size of Allen's party, forming a balanced challenge.
The duel system activated, initiating the confrontation that would settle the dispute. However, despite the initial tension and the organized approach of the soldiers, the battle itself proved to be quite straightforward for Allen and his companions. The soldiers' levels were comparatively low, sitting at a modest 76, and they lacked the advanced magical attacks that often made higher-level opponents formidable. Their elemental affinities were neutral.
In truth, these soldiers were primarily tasked with maintaining order and preventing low-level players from entering the restricted area without the requisite skills, equipment, and levels. As a result, their combat abilities were limited and straightforward, making it a relatively easy battle for Allen and his group. The clash, though dramatic, was swiftly concluded, leaving the soldiers soundly defeated and Allen's party victorious.
With the defeated soldiers from the previous confrontation now out of their path, Allen and the girls advanced into the building. The interior exuded a palpable military atmosphere, with the decor and structure emphasizing efficiency and function. It was clear that the heart of this structure was dedicated to the rigorous business of maintaining security and control.
As they made their way inside, they were met by a second group of soldiers. Their abrupt arrival triggered an immediate reaction. "Intruders!" the soldiers exclaimed, their voices echoing within the militaristic space. Without hesitation, they moved forward to confront Allen and the girls, their actions swift and resolute.
This time, however, there was a notable difference. The battle that ensued did not adhere to the duel system they had experienced outside. Instead, it played out like a typical encounter with in-game monsters. The soldiers attacked with a more aggressive and relentless approach.
Aware of the change in dynamics, Allen and the girls scanned their surroundings meticulously, ensuring there were no additional players hiding or watching their progress. Their detection skills were put to use, ensuring that no further surprises awaited them.
With a shared understanding of their situation, the group decided it was time to drop their disguises and reveal their true forms. The change was swift and deliberate.
Allen, previously an assassin, assumed the imposing mantle of the Devil Emperor, his appearance now radiating an aura of supreme power. The others too reverted to their original avatars.
With a confident and practiced motion, Allen unleashed his Demonic Lance skill, manifesting dark, sinister lances that erupted from his hands. The black lances surged forward, striking with deadly precision, and decimated the soldiers who dared to stand in their way. The fight was now decidedly easier for them, as the soldiers fell before the onslaught of his dark power.
Having swiftly dispatched their adversaries, the group pressed on, advancing further into the building. The building they entered had an intricately designed interior, resembling a maze in its complexity. The layout was bewildering, with numerous rooms and corridors. However, the true nature of the structure only became apparent when they began to examine their surroundings.
They discovered an array of rooms, each shrouded in mystery. Many of these rooms seemed to serve no apparent purpose, their contents a mystery to those who entered. Some of these rooms turned out to be empty, offering no clear benefit. Others, however, concealed traps, mechanisms cunningly concealed within the room's design.
Upon entering these trap-rigged rooms, the doors would suddenly swing shut, sealing off any escape. In response, the room's defenses were triggered, springing into action. Mechanical golems and mad clock soldiers emerged from hidden compartments within the room, their movements animated with a sense of eerie life.
These sudden confrontations were not a major challenge for Allen and his group. They swiftly dispatched these mechanical monsters. In doing so, they triggered the room's mechanisms to reset, and the door would reopen.
After an arduous ten-minute exploration within the maze-like building, the group finally stumbled upon the entrance to the forbidden dungeon. This room, situated in the northern section of the building, was vigilantly guarded by both soldiers and their commanding officer. Their presence, however, posed no significant obstacle to Allen and his companions.
The entrance to the dungeon was far from imposing. In fact, it was nothing more than a narrow hole in the floor. The moniker "Death Pit" hardly seemed fitting, as it lacked the menacing appearance one might associate with such a name. The most notable distinction from Ront City's Sewer entrance was the absence of a ladder for descending or ascending. In this case, no such means of access existed.
Another announcement appeared in front of them once they were about to enter the dungeon.
[You will enter the Death Pit! Make sure you have the Home Crystal to return to before entering! Or death is the only way to take you back! ]
[Are you sure you want to enter the dungeon now?]
[Yes / No]
Allen chose yes. He moved toward the narrow pit and, without hesitation, leaped into the unknown depths. His action was swift and resolute, and the rest of the group followed his lead without hesitation. One by one, they descended into the narrow opening, guided by their fearless resolve and a shared sense of purpose.
As they descended into the pit, they discovered a stark contrast between the narrow entrance and the immense chamber that greeted them below. The room that sprawled before their eyes was nothing short of awe-inspiring, resembling a vast hall or an enigmatic secret chamber. Its size was staggering, and the group found themselves standing in a realm that seemed disconnected from the scale of the narrow passage they had traversed.
Allen and the others swept their gazes around them. The chamber they had descended into was a sight to behold, but not for its grandeur. Instead, it revealed a scene of desolation and devastation. The vast space was littered with wreckage, debris, and remnants of what had once been a thriving secret military base.
The chamber, which had likely once been a hub of advanced steampunk technology and activity, now lay in ruins. The remnants of machinery, twisted metal, and shattered contraptions painted a grim picture of decay and abandonment. It was as if time had eroded the very essence of this secret facility.
The presence of wreckage and discarded machinery was all-encompassing, leaving no doubt that this place had once played a significant role in some unknown military operations. It was now a solemn testament to the passage of time and the demise of this once-secretive facility.
Bella's discontent was palpable as she scanned the desolate surroundings. "Okay, I don't like this place. This is definitely the worst place to hang out. I'd even rather hang out at Black Castle than this," she remarked, her gaze shifting from one discarded piece of machinery to another.
Alice couldn't help but chuckle at Bella's dramatic flair. "No one asks to hang out here," she pointed out, her raised eyebrow clearly indicating her bemusement.
Bella, however, wasn't ready to concede. "What do you mean? We are literally hanging out in this place, right now," she retorted with a grin, her sense of humor unshaken despite the eerie atmosphere of the abandoned military base.
The eerie silence that had settled over the ruined military base was abruptly shattered by a sharp whooshing sound, jolting the group from their conversation. As if responding to some unseen cue, grunting and whispers of pain echoed from all directions, filling the chamber with an unsettling ambiance.
Allen instinctively pressed a finger to his lips, signaling for everyone to remain quiet and still. The oppressive stillness was broken only by the distant sound of approaching footsteps, growing ever nearer. The group tensed, their senses on high alert.
The source of the approaching footsteps soon became chillingly clear. They had become surrounded by an eerie assembly of spectral entities, all taking the form of ghosts. Most of these apparitions resembled the soldiers who had once guarded the building above, but their forms were ethereal and transparent. Their expressions were blank, their voices murmuring heart-wrenching words that sent shivers down the group's spines. In this haunting encounter, they realized that they were encircled by these ghostly sentinels, their presence an enigma that begged salvation.
"Hurts… It hurts…"
"I don't want to fight anymore…"
"Why did everything turn dark…"
"Let's get out of here… together…"
But what attracted Allen was not them, but some ghostly monsters in the row behind them. They looked like players or rather players in their ghostly form.
This 𝓬ontent is taken from fre𝒆webnove(l).𝐜𝐨𝗺