Chapter 68: Underground Crisis
In an instant, Colin and the others near the entrance to the tunnel became vigilant.
They only relaxed slightly when they saw the light shining from below and heard the relatively normal footsteps.
Soon, with the approaching chaotic footsteps, the three servant soldiers came running out. They were trying to maintain a calm expression, but their faces were slightly pale, indicating they had encountered something.
However, seeing the bright lights above the entrance, they took a breath of relief.
The prepared rope was quickly lowered, and once the three were pulled up, Colin took the lantern from them and looked at their pale faces. “What did you encounter? What’s down there?”
“My lord, there’s a staircase that extends downward for about five or six minutes. When we reached the bottom, the gray fog disappeared…”
The lead slave soldier said it with lingering fear.
At the bottom of the stairs was a vast hall without gray fog, filled with numerous tree roots.
They initially attempted to enter, but as soon as they stepped in, they felt an overwhelming predatory presence.
Recalling Colin’s words, they quickly retreated to avoid danger and accidents.“A hall entangled with tree roots, possibly containing an unknown life form…”
Colin pondered and asked, “Did it feel stronger than a Lord-level mutant?”
He wasn’t worried about their ability to judge because this team was one of the five front-line teams involved in the subjugation battle, having faced such creatures up close before.
“No, it was much weaker…” The loyal servant shook his head.
Though dangerous, it lacked the terrifying pressure of a Lord-level mutant.
“That’s good, it should be a stronger elite mutant…”
Colin felt somewhat relieved. A Lord-level mutant would mean an extremely difficult battle.
From the world channel discussions, it was clear that each Lord-level mutant had unique, terrifying attributes.
Without more information, attacking such a creature would be a suicide mission.
Especially since they were underground, they couldn’t use tons of explosives recklessly…
Thinking about this, Colin sadly realized that at this stage, their only effective means against a Lord-level mutant was large amounts of black powder.
Even if some had powerful mystical items, their attributes were too weak.
Even if a mystical item could temporarily block a Lord-level mutant’s attack, they would likely die from their own weakness during the collision.
A single careless glance could result in a gruesome death.
Like the famous ‘Abyss Gorge Subjugation Battle’ mentioned in the chat channel.
Over a hundred lords, with several hundred servant soldiers and seven mystical items, attacked a Lord-level mutant in a gorge. In the end, fewer than ten lords survived.
If not for one powerful mystical item, they might have been wiped out.
The survivors recounted the battle, which was extensively discussed in the chat channel (in retrospect).
It was universally agreed that the mutant’s attributes were terrifying.
For example, the ‘Mourning Watcher’ Colin encountered, even in a severely wounded state, could easily lift a six-ton candelabrum.
A severely wounded state reduced its base attributes by 70%…
This meant that in its full state, assuming one point of strength equaled 50 kilograms, its strength attribute alone could reach a despairing 100 to 200 points…
The highest strength attribute around Colin was Sanna’s, at only 7 points, not even close…
Without large amounts of black powder, there was no chance of victory.
And Colin’s successful kill was full of luck and hard to replicate. If this Lord-level mutant had the same ‘invisibility’ ability as the one in the ‘Gorge Subjugation Battle’…
The outcome would be uncertain.
They needed time to grow and to fully utilize their mystical items, but they lacked time.
The countdown was too pressing; there were only six days left, not enough for gradual growth.
They didn’t know what they would face, but instinctively guessed it would be as formidable as a Lord-level mutant.
Perhaps from the start, this mysterious and contradictory ‘game system’ never intended for them to survive…
Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, Colin said, “We’ll pause the exploration here.”
Next, Colin swiftly led the team away, heading towards the mine area in their war chariots.
Minutes later, they arrived at a large collapsed pit, about 200 to 300 square meters and two meters deep.
Nearby were two war chariots, with headlights illuminating the pit.
Several lanterns swayed below, indicating someone was exploring.
When Colin arrived, Li Hang and the others emerged from a makeshift ramp built from stones.
“Boss, no luck…”
Li Hang shook his head regretfully, handing over a few ‘Sunshine Mushrooms’ growing on ‘Condense Light Stones’ to Colin.
“Alright, let me take a look.”
Colin nodded, greeting them briefly, before descending into the pit with a lantern.
【A partially natural collapsed pit. From the river-eroded walls and floor, you deduce this was a subterranean river.】
【The river is now dry, and the structure weakened, leading to its collapse.】
Could the ‘Mourning Watcher’ have caused this with its weight?
Remembering its terrifying weight, Colin thought it was possible…
But he didn’t dwell on it, focusing on the obvious traces on the ground.
【The ground is covered with many chaotic footprints. You deduce that at least ten survivors passed through here…】
【The river path extends towards the back of Crow Mountain. About 100 meters ahead is a recently collapsed barrier.】
【From there, you feel a familiar aura similar to that in the nearby church…】
【Perhaps both paths lead to a similar destination.】
“Damn, a similar destination. If they keep going, they’ll enter that dangerous area directly?”
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