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Chapter 435: The Dangerous Underdark
"Collaborate to explore the Underdark?"
"Really? Would Bay Territory be so generous?"
"Could this be a trap set by those cunning humans? Did we expose a flaw?"
"Probably not. Bay Territory gains nothing from targeting us and would even lose a significant client."
"True. Even if we lost a squad, it wouldn't compare to the nearly 2 million gold coins they earn from us monthly."
"Should we give it a try? If it works outā¦"
"It's worth a shot!"
"ā¦"
The message from the urgent communication left Annie and Parry both breathing sighs of relief.
Just as they had concluded, this deep collaboration with Bay Territory carried risks but minimal ones, with far greater potential rewards!
It was worth the attempt!
April 22nd.
Bay Territory.
Light rain.
The pitter-patter of rain fell gently.
On the busy construction site, only a few engineering golems continued working silently.
Engineers who refused to rest at night monitored and directed operations from nearby.
The adventurers from the daytime had already left, mostly preparing to enter the Underdark.
Conveniently, Bay Territory had acquired a batch of spell scrolls and tools from the Ail Elves.
They were working hard to complete tasks, striving to redeem these valuable tools as quickly as possible.
In the 50-meter-deep passage under construction, a fully armed unit stood guard.
Further below, a small camp was being methodically established.
No teleportation array had been placed there yet, to prevent enemies from capturing it and launching a counterattack through the array.
For Matthew, resources were important, but the safety of his territory was paramount.
Beside him, Jifan closely examined the map of the Underdark spread before them.
He occasionally glanced up, scrutinizing the dark, eerie surroundings.
A faint glow emanated softly from the walls and overhead rock surfaces.
Over recent days, Jifan had learned much about the Underdark, including the significance of one of its foundational and vital plantsāglow moss.
With robust vitality and rapid growth, glow moss thrived even in the harshest environments. Though not particularly nutritious, it rooted and grew with minimal requirements.
Most herbivores of the Underdark subsisted on glow moss.
This formed the most basic component of the Underdark's ecosystem.
Pointing at the map, Matthew gestured to three nearby gnoll camps and spoke thoughtfully:
"We are currently in a relatively narrow cavern. Our main enemies are these three gnoll camps."
"The nearest gnoll camp is approximately 2,000 strong. The camp closest to the cave entrance has about 20,000."
"To secure this area, we can block the entrances and prioritize clearing the interior gnoll campsā¦"
As Matthew spoke at length, the group members thoughtfully nodded.
Before descending, they had already been briefed on their mission objectives.
Verify the information gathered by adventurers.
Formulate a comprehensive strategy for the Underdark.
Explore deeper into the Underdark.
And most importantly, locate a resource-rich mining area.
Only with tangible benefits could they drive greater progress!
During this time, Annie discreetly observed the towering soldiers around her.
Among them, the tallestāBeelzebubāwas naturally someone Annie recognized. Facing the overwhelming aura emanating from him, the Silverleaf family's elven lady couldn't help but feel shaken.
Beelzebub, like the other soldiers, had advanced in strength at an astonishing pace.
To Annie, Beelzebub's more robust physique undoubtedly meant he had undergone similar enhancements, with particularly outstanding results.
As she curiously glanced around, Yaya sniffed the faint stench in the air and muttered:
"Hmm, seems like some gnolls are approaching."
Everyone perked up their ears, but no sound reached them. Yet, no one doubted Yaya's assessment.
Who would question a dragon?
Folding up the map and clearing the nearby air, Matthew signaled for them to advance while advising:
"Avoid fighting these gnolls unless absolutely necessary, to prevent unnecessary trouble."
They were a small squad of 20. Though formidable, they had no interest in pointless battles.
Ten minutes later.
Everyone watched as a gnoll hunting party moved deeper into the Underdark.
A chilling breeze blew softly against their faces.
The faint coldness, unlike the early summer above ground, felt like the lingering remnants of a winter yet to awaken.
The rugged cave twisted and turned through the darkness, leading to unknown destinations.
An ordinary person entering here would likely lose their way within a short distance.
However, more dangerous than the complex terrain were the predators lurking within the caves and crevices.
The most perilous of these was the face spider.
A mid-tier peak magical creature with a challenge level of 11.
They always hid silently above narrow cave openings.
When prey passed below, they would suddenly strike.
Their white, human-like faces on their abdomens cast eerie illusion spells on their prey.
Those with weak wills would fall into terrifying hallucinations, frozen in place and unable to move.
For such victims, the face spider would spray paralyzing webs, wrapping them up and dragging them back to its lair as stored food.
If a victim resisted, the spider had venomous fangs.
A single bite injected potent paralysis toxins, instantly immobilizing its prey.
Once weakened, the face spider would gleefully devour its catch, savoring a hearty meal.
Learning about the face spider's feeding habits sent shivers through Annie's heart.
She swiftly fired two sharp arrows, instantly killing a face spider.
Besides these ambush predators, the numerous shadow lizards were among the area's most dangerous hunters.
Though smaller than rift lizards and less deadly in ambushes,
shadow lizards were far more agile and numerous!
Individually, they had a challenge level of only 4, but their pack hunting made them a force exceeding level 12.
Of course, these troublesome predators posed no threat to Matthew's group.
Yaya was there!
Beyond these two predators, they also encountered large bats hanging from the rock ceilings, stone vipers hidden in turbulent streams, roaming Underdark trolls, and bloated ogres.
These creatures were both dangerous and abundant, making defense nearly impossible.
No wonder Bay Territory had rated this area's challenge level above 8.
Only elite adventurer teams were qualified and capable enough to venture into this region.